Bismarck defenseman Vescio makes NCAA DI commitment

The Bismarck Bobcats of the North American Hockey League, are pleased to announce that defenseman Tanner Vescio has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Northern Michigan University.

“It’s definitely a great feeling to know what my future holds for hockey and I’m really happy with my decision,” stated Vescio, a 2016 tender signee by the Bobcats. “It’s very exciting to achieve a goal that you’ve been working toward your whole life.”

Through 15 games in his second season as a Bobcat, Vescio has a goal and four assists and has developed into a top defender among a veteran blueline corps for the black and gold.

“Tanner is a player that has great skill, vision and work ethic that makes him valuable on the ice, but his contributions as a character guy in our locker room have been just as important,” hailed Bobcats head coach and general manager Layne Sedevie. “We know that he’ll be a valuable part of the Wildcats and we, as an organization, couldn’t be happier for his opportunity at Northern Michigan.”

Vescio is the fourth current or former Bobcat to commit to a Division I program in 2017-18 and the second to pick Northern Michigan, joining center Grant Johnson.

“Everything about NMU impressed me,” continued Vescio, a former Blaine (Minn.) High School Bengal. “The coaching staff has been amazing and they definitely made it an easy decision for me. I was able to tour the hockey facilities and see the city of Marquette and it was unbelievable; I really think that Northern is a program on the rise and I am excited to be a part of that.”

Led by first-year head coach Grant Potulny, the Wildcats play in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and are in the 43rd season of Division I hockey. In their long history, the Wildcats have won three Broadmoor Trophies as WCHA playoff champions, made three appearances in the Frozen Four and won the 1991 NCAA Division I title.